Alexander Zverev becomes the fourth player in tennis history to reach magnificent milestone after Paris Masters win

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Alexander Zverev has joined an elite group containing both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal after achieving a remarkable Paris Masters milestone.

Third seed Alexander Zverev earned a 7-6(2), 6-3 win over Tallon Griekspoor in his opening match, marking his fifth straight victory against the Dutch player and fourth of the season.

Zverev, who claimed his sixth ATP Masters 1000 title in Rome this May, has now improved to a stellar 19-1 in his opening matches this year, with his sole defeat coming to compatriot Daniel Altmaier in Acapulco.

A challenging start to the match, the German saved a break point in each of his first two service games and later faced a set point at 4-5.

After that crucial save, Zverev found his rhythm, putting together a disciplined tie-break performance and gaining momentum in the second. An early break eventually saw him over the finish line in one hour and 32 minutes.

Alexander Zverev becomes fourth player in history to achieve Masters milestone

A slightly agonizing year has seen glimpses of both joy and underachievement, Zverev is still searching for his first Grand Slam title.

A set away at Roland Garros saw Carlos Alcaraz fightback to clinch his first French Open crown.

Zverev’s victory at the Paris Masters on Wednesday made him just the fourth player in ATP Masters 1000 history to reach the last 16 at all nine tournaments in a single season.

In quote dazzling company, Zverev is the first to achieve this feat since Rafael Nadal in 2017, with Tomas Berdych the other to also complete the set twice.

• READ MORE: Alexander Zverev shares verdict on the courts at the Paris Masters after reaching the last 16

Can Alexander Zverev win the Paris Masters?

Zverev has a concrete and newly enlivened chance to capture the title, especially with key players like Jannik Sinner pulling out and Daniil Medvedev already eliminated.

However, Zverev faces a challenging next match against rising French star Arthur Fils, who defeated him in the Hamburg Open final earlier this year.

Fils is an unpredictable opponent, and Zverev will need to bring his best to avoid another upset, especially with the 20-year-old playing in front of a buoyant home crowd.

With Sinner’s Paris withdrawal, Zverev, who lost to the Italian in Cincinnati in August, will have been quietly pleased to not even have the prospect of another encounter.

If he can navigate past Fils, the former Paris finalist will be in a prime position to challenge for his first Paris Masters trophy.